Beneath his feet substantial night was like a sable carpet spread. 10 The chariot of the King of kings,

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which active troops of angels drew, On a strong tempest's rapid wings, with most amazing swiftness flew. 11, 12 Black watery mists and clouds conspir'd, with thickest shades his face to veil; But at his brightness soon retir'd,

and fell in showers of fire and hail. 13 Through heaven's wide arch a thund'ring peal God's angry voice did loudly roar; While earth's sad face with heaps of hail and flakes of fire was cover'd o'er. 14 His sharpen'd arrows round he threw, which made his scatter'd foes retreat; Like darts his nimble lightnings flew, and quickly finish'd their defeat. 15 The deep its secret stores disclos'd, the world's foundations naked lay; By his avenging wrath expos'd, which fiercely rag'd that dreadful day.

PART III.

16 The Lord did on my side engage; from heaven, his throne, my cause upheld; And snatch'd me from the furious rage of threat'ning waves, that proudly swell'd.

17 God his resistless power emplov'd

my strongest foes' attempts to break; Who else with ease had soon destroy'd the weak defence that I could make. 18 Their subtle rage had near prevail'd, when I distress'd and friendless lay; But still, when other succours fail'd, God was my firm support and stay. 19 From dangers that enclos'd me round, he brought me forth and set me free; For some just cause his goodness found, that mov'd him to delight in me. 20 Because in me no guilt remains,

God does his gracious help extend; My hands are free from bloody stains; therefore the Lord is still my friend. 21, 22 For I his judgments kept in sight, in his just paths I always trod;

I never did his statutes slight,

nor loosely wander'd from my God. 23, 24 But still my soul, sincere and pure, did even from darling sins refrain; His favours therefore yet endure, because my heart and hands are clean.

PART IV.

25, 26 Thou suit'st, O Lord, thy righteous ways to various paths of human-kind; They who for mercy merit praise, with thee shall wondrous mercy find. Thou to the just shalt justice show; the pure thy purity shall see: Such as perversely choose to go,

shall meet with due returns from thee. 27, 28 That he the humble soul will save, and crush the haughty's boasted might, In me the Lord an instance gave, whose darkness he has turn'd to light. 29 On his firm succour I rely'd,

and did o'er num'rous foes prevail ; Nor fear'd, whilst he was on my side, the best defended walls to scale. 30 For God's design shall still succeed, his word will bear the utmost test; He's a strong shield to all that need, and on his sure protection rest. 31 Who then deserves to be ador'd, but God, on whom my hopes depend? Or who, except the mighty Lord, can with resistless power defend?

PART V.

32, 33 'Tis God that girds my armour on, and all my just designs fulfils; Through him my feet can swiftly run, and nimbly climb the steepest hills. 34 Lessons of war from him I take,

and manly weapons learn to wield; Strong bows of steel with ease I break, forc'd by my stronger arms to yield.

35 The buckler of his saving health
protects me from assaulting foes ;
His hand sustains me still; my wealth
and greatness from his bounty flows.

36 My goings he enlarg'd abroad,
till then to narrow paths confin'd;
And, when in slippery ways I trod,
the method of my steps design'd.
37 Through him I num'rous hosts defeat,
and flying squadrons captive take;
Nor from my fierce pursuit retreat,
till I a final conquest make.

38 Cover'd with wounds, in vain they try
their vanquish'd heads again to rear;
Spite of their boasted strength, they lie
beneath my feet, and grovel there.

39 God, when fresh armies take the field,

recruits my strength, my courage warms; He makes my strong opposers yield, subdued by my prevailing arms.

40 Through him the necks of prostrate foes my conqu'ring feet in triumph press; Aided by him, I root out those

who hate and envy my success.

41 With loud complaints all friends they try'd, but none was able to defend;

At length to God for help they cry'd; but God would no assistance lend.

42 Like flying dust, which winds pursue, their broken troops I scatter'd round; Their slaughter'd bodies forth I threw, like loathsome dirt, that clogs the ground.

PART VI.

43 Our factious tribes, at strife till now,
by God's appointment me obey;
The heathen to my sceptre bow,
and foreign nations own my sway.
44 Remotest realms their homage send,
when my successful name they hear;
Strangers for my commands attend,
charm'd with respect, or aw'd by fear.

45 All to my summons tamely yield,
or soon in battle are dismay'd;
For stronger holds they quit the field,
and still in strongest holds afraid.
46 Let the eternal Lord be prais'd,

the rock on whose defence I rest!
To highest heavens his name be rais'd,
who me with his salvation blest!
47 'Tis God that still supports my right;
his just revenge my foes pursues;
'Tis he, that, with resistless might,
fierce nations to my yoke subdues.
48 My universal safeguard he!
from whom my lasting honours flow;
He made me great, and set me free
from my remorseless bloody foe.
49 Therefore, to celebrate his fame,
my grateful voice to heaven I'll raise;
And nations, strangers to his name,
shall thus be taught to sing his praise:

50 "God to his king deliv'rance sends
"shows his anointed signal grace
"His mercy evermore extends
" to David and his promis'd race

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TH

PSALM XIX.

NHE heavens declare thy glory, Lord, which that alone can fill; The firmament and stars express their great Creator's skill.

2 The dawn of each returning day
fresh beams of knowledge brings;
And from the dark returns of night
divine instruction springs.

3 Their powerful language to no realm
or region is confin'd;
'Tis nature's voice, and understood
alike by all mankind.

4 Their doctrine does its sacred sense
through earth's extent display;
Whose bright contents the circling sun
does round the world convey.
5 No bridegroom on his nuptial day
has such a cheerful face;
No giant does like him rejoice
to run his glorious race.

6 From east to west, from west to east,
his restless course he goes;
And, through his progress, cheerful light
and vital warmth bestows.

PART II.

7 God's perfect law converts the soul;
reclaims from false desires;
With sacred wisdom his sure word
the ignorant inspires.

8 The statutes of the Lord are just,
and bring sincere delight;
His pure commands in search of truth
assist the feeblest sight.

9 His perfect worship here is fix'd,
on sure foundations laid;
His equal laws are in the scales
of truth and justice weigh'd;
10 Of more esteem than golden mines,
or gold refin'd with skill;
More sweet than honey, or the drops
that from the comb distil.
11 My trusty counsellors they are,
and friendly warnings give;
Divine rewards attend on those
who by thy precepts live.
12 But what frail man observes how oft

he does from virtue fall?

O cleanse me from my secret faults,
thou God that know'st them all!

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with thy acceptance blest;

And I secure on thy defence,

my strength and Saviour, rest.

TH

PSALM XX.

NHE Lord to thy request attend,
and hear thee in distress;
The name of Jacob's God defend,
and grant thy arms success:
2 To aid thee from on high repair,
and strength from Sion give;
3 Remember all thy offerings there,
thy sacrifice receive :

4 To compass thy own heart's desire,
thy counsels still direct;
Make kindly all events conspire
to bring them to effect.
5 To thy salvation, Lord, for aid
we cheerfully repair,

With banners in thy name display'd;
"the Lord accept thy prayer."

6 Our hopes are fix'd, that now the Lord,

our sov'reign will defend; From heaven resistless aid afford,

and to his prayer attend.

7 Some trust in steeds for war design'd;

on chariots some rely;

Against them all we'll call to mind the power of God most high.

8 But from their steeds and chariots thrown,

behold them through the plain, Disorder'd, broke, and trampled down, whilst firm our troops remain.

9 Still save us, Lord, and still proceed our rightful cause to bless; Hear, King of heaven, in times of need, the prayers that we address.

NHE

PSALM XXI.

O Lord, with songs of praise

shall in thy strength rejoice; With thy salvation crown'd, shall raise to heaven his cheerful voice.

2 For thou, whate'er his lips request, not only dost impart;

But hast, with thy acceptance, blest